Announcing the First Cohort of Global One Health Scholars

We are excited to announce the first cohort of the Global One Health Scholars. The following seven undergraduate students were selected from a highly competitive pool of excellent applications from across multiple academic colleges at NC State. The Scholars program grows the next generation of leaders in One Health through interdisciplinary training, experiential learning, and leadership development.

Abigil Finch

Abi Finch is a senior studying Zoology, with minors in Applied Ecology and Global One Health. Her interests include parasites, spatial epidemiology, and the effects of urbanization. She looks forward to contributing her knowledge of wildlife and disease ecology to the Scholars program.

Sascha Godfrey

Sascha is pursuing a major in Statistics, a minor in Global One Health, and an accelerated Masters of Climate Change and Society. Her academic interests lie in using data analysis and medicine to develop robust disaster response plans in the face of climate change induced natural disasters and forced migration. On campus, she is vice president and co-founder of the Students for the Advancement of Global One Health organization and works in the Hoyo Lab, which examines the link between environmental exposures and disease outcomes. She also engages in environmental photojournalism (she has photographed over thirty National Parks) and advocacy for emergency medication access at educational institutions, as she hopes to save lives by improving response times. 

Cristina Payst

Cristina is a second year major in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. She is passionate about conservation and social justice, and is especially interested in how they are interconnected. Outside of Global One Health Scholars, Cristina is a Sustainability Steward and works in an evolutionary ecology lab, and in her free time, she can usually be found sewing, knitting, or spending time outside!

Valeria Rayo-Solano

Valeria Rayo-Solano is a third-year Microbiology major with a concentration in microbial research, complemented by minors in German Studies, Global One Health, and Statistics. This unique combination reflects her aspiration to become an infectious disease epidemiologist and researcher. Valeria is particularly fascinated by the complex factors that contribute to the inception and spread of infectious disease-driven epidemics and pandemics. Driven by her interest in the interdisciplinary nature of global health challenges, Valeria co-founded the student organization Students for the Advancement of Global One Health (SAGOH) to inspire curiosity and a commitment to understanding and change among her peers. Her research experience in biofilms, bacteriophages, and antimicrobials has led her to engage with diverse ideas, people, and places. By weaving in a Global One Health approach, she hopes to set off on a pathway to collaborate with like-minded individuals in solving some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Ava Smith

Ava Smith is a second-year Zoology student who got into Global One Health through work with raptors during avian influenza outbreaks. Since then, she has been involved with a variety of Global One Health initiatives/projects at NC State.

Rida Tariq

Rida Tariq is a student in the class of 2027 and a Microbiology major with a passion for exploring the microscopic world and its impact on global health. Whether she is diving into research or working in a medical setting, Rida is committed to creating solutions for a healthier, more equitable world. When she is not studying or working in school you’ll probably find her painting in her free time or exploring various cafes across Raleigh! 

Kara Vold

Kara Vold is a third-year Biology major with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. She is a Global One Health minor as well as a Microbiology minor. Kara is interested in One Health because she plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, a field focused on the intersection of human and animal health. Her interests are focused on zoonotic diseases in wildlife and wildlife conservation. 

This post was originally published in Global One Health Academy (GOHA).